Musical instrument.



H. S. HORNBECK.

MUSlCAL INSTRUMENT,

APPLICATION FILED 'AUG- H, I909.

- Patented June 8, 1915.

7 SHEETS--SHEET i.

H. S. HORNBECK.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1909.

PafentedJnne 8, 1915,

7 SHEETSSHEET 2' MEN-r031 WITNESSES. {@W- A W W,

H. S. .HOFNBECK.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG- 11. 1909.

Patented June 8, 1915.

Y SHEETS-SHEET 3- H. S. HORNBECK.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLlCATlON FILED AUG. 1!, 1909.

Patented J une' 8, 1915.

TSHEETS-SHEET 4.

WWI-1"" INVENTOR H. S. HORNBECK.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-11,1909.

1,142,255. Patented June 8, 1915.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

wmvm gs; INVENTOR H! S. HORNBECPL MUEICALINSTRUMEN'L APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, i309.

7$HEETSSHEET 6.

Patented June 8, 1915 nvvmron WW By WITNESSES: g? (54 H. S. HORNBECK.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. H, 1909.

142,255. Patented June 8, 1915.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 7- W/ZZSSH; I 7021, INVENTOR a a i will more (dearly app llll llll) STATES PATENT i HORNBECK, 5F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO V slQ'Y, QIE ELIZABETH, NEW/V JERSEY, A CORIUflATION G NEV- T lr'iUSIOAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed August 11. 1909.

ini'c new l useful improveinen ln uinents, of which the J icification, reference being in a part hereof.

The purpose oi this invention is primarily and generally the improvement of me chaui xl pianirplziyin devices, although, as

.i' hereinafter, the in vention applicable. in part at least, to ordinary pianos and similar instruments.

One obj i improvement in the character of the touch or the quality of the blow with whic each tone is produced, and espei1 chilly the substantial elimination of the mecha ind quality o1 the touch which, in greater or less degree, has hitherto characterized iiwcl-iauical playing devices, and the production of a touch more closely resembling: than heretofore has been possible the touch of the skilled human lingers.

Another object is to make possible any gradation of Force, with which tones are prod'ueec, and therefore of strength of tone produceih either of single tones anywhere in the range of the piano or of a group of tones, or especially to achieve, in mechanine devices the possibility of both U and sub-accent which has hitherto been practically hevond the power of me- .ur devices. I *1 object to make possible the l e of musical compositions by mel. devices in a manner cn1- unable to orinances by skilled artists, and especially to make it possible to let the melody the coin 'msition predominate throughoiit the composition with any degree oi: Xp "-Sl )il both in the melody itself and in 2 snbordinated harmony.

l her objects, more or less incidental to the 1 main objects will appear hereinafter.

These various objects are attained in part by .5 "mi-ting; or suspending inovahly or yieldinglly the fulcrum of each transmitting lever or finger (as the part referred to is coninmnly termed in mechanical playing del is) or key the part is termed in an \rv pin no) .or other part of the playing a high which the impulse is .n the actuator to the ham- LEE Specification of Letters Patent.

supporting and controllin as a view oi: the parts sh a player as that indicated Iatenteel do .3 12. 15.

Serial No. 512,465.

novel combinations of: elen'ients which may or may not include such yieidingly sns pended fingers.

The invention :will he more fully explained hereinafter witlireference to the a oin ing drawings in which it is illes in which Figure 1 1s a View in front elev an ordinary cabinet player "to which tion has been applied, parts with which the invention is not concerned being shown merely in outline or not shown at all. '3 is a view partly in end elevation. seen from the left hand in Fig. l, and partly in section, showing'only parts which are involved in the invention, the piano and its key-board being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. is a detail plan View, on a larger scale, of the controlleix Fig. 4; is a view in side elevation of the controller. Fig. 5 detail view of one of the valves shown in l l 3 and l. l?" 6 is a detail. view in rear elevation shmung two of the lingers and their devices. Fig. 7 wn in G seen from the right hand in 6 p tly in elevation and partly in section. l o

a detail view in front elevation of ie parts shown in Fig. 6, except that the con-- ncction of'the crescendo devices to the hand controlling device is indicated in Fig. 8 while in Fig. (3 the connection of such devices to the pneumatic controlling device is indicated, Fig. 7 but showing the parts in different po sitions. Figs. 10 and 11 are de ail views in rear and side elevation, with parts in section in Fig. 11, illustrating an application of the invention to a player-piano. Fig.

a detail view of the fulcrum spring; shown in Fig. 11. i i- 13 is a view illustrating an embodiment of the invention. in an elec-,

trically actuated player. Fig. 'i'l is a detail view of the controller shown in Fig. Figs. 15 and 16 diagrammatic views illustrating the electrical connections in such a J Kim Fig. l) is a partial View similar to ll hcn the invention is applied to an ordicabinet piandplayer, that is, to playing devices which are outside or the case or s piano and in which 1e fingers of the playing devices act directly upon the keys of the piano, no modification of the ordinary pla, Ling devices is required, the invention being capable of being embodied in an attachment which. may be applied to any ordinary cabinet player. Furthermore, the devices with which the invention is concerned are independent of the ordinary playing devices, which may be of any usual or suitable character. it is, therefore, unnecessary to illustrste or explain in detail the ordinary playing devices and they are not shown herein so for as concerns the embodiment of the invention in such a cabinet player, except as to the lingers, which replace the fingers ordinarily employed, and the connections thereof to their actuating be] lows.

In the embodiment of the invention in the cabinet player which is chosen for illustr tion in 19, the cabinet a is shown as supporting the usual. tracker board a, feed roll (4 and below or at the right hand of the tracker mechanism, the usual devices a for regulating the tempo and expression. lit the left hand of the tracker board, in convenient position. for operation by the left hand of the performer, is mounted the controller by which, in a cabinet player such as is represented, the operations of the devices with which the invention is particularly concerned are controlled or regulated. This controller, in the form chosen for illustration, is shown in position in Fig 1 and 2 end is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and l. As there represented, it comprises a board 77,

'"erably quadrant shaped, which is supported at its outer end. upon a spring 5 and is hinged its rear end, as at 5 so as to swing upon a horizontal axis. An arm 6 extended rearwerdly from the board, is connected. by link Zf with one arm of s lever other arm of which is connected by a rough yoke F)", one arm of a lever 5 The other arm of the bell-cra r lever connected with a crescend Z suic ly supported by links, one of which is shown 5 and held normally in itshighest position. by springs, one of which is shown at Z). The relation of the enddbar b to the devices, the action of is regulated by it, will be described i Etc later.

in the board 1), near its forward edge, are holes which form the terminals of tubes 0 which connected to several bel lows 0 two of win h are shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Each of such bellows controls and so perform the intended function at the will of the performer, it is necessary that such bellows should be capable of being placed in communication, at the will of the performer, with the vacuum system of the player.

The result last referred to is accomplished by the following instrumentalities. On the board is mounted, so as to move in. a plane parallel with the board Z), a shifting connector through which connection may be es tablished between the vacuum system of the player and any one or severol'of the ports 0, tubes 0 and bellows 0 in the construction shown, this shifting connector comprises a tube 0 which is pivotally mounted in a yoke 0* on the upper end of a verticul rock-shaft 0 The tube 0 is connected by a flexible tube 0 with the vacuum system, which may be arranged as usual, through a pneumatic c which may be controlled by the performer as hereinafter described. A tube 0 arranged to telescope in the tube 0 carries at its outer end a head 0 w iich is arranged to slide upon the surface of the board 7) in close contact therewith, the head 0 being suitably formed so that it may be conveniently moved by the performer. In the underside of the head. as indicated by dotted lines, is an l.-shaped slot 0 which is in communication with the vacuum system through the tubes 0 0 and 0 The short arm of this slot, substantially parallel with the axis of the tube 0 is wide enough to cover only one of the ports 0 at a time, when the head and tube 0 are pushed in, as shown in Fig. 3.

The long arm of the slot 0 is long enough to cover two or more of the ports a when the head is pulled out to permit this. Thus, according to the pushing in or pulling out of the head 0 one or more than one of the bellows 0 may be collapsed through the connection withthe vacuum system, and according to the movement of the head to one side or the other, the bellows or several bellows which is or are thus to be collapsed, may be selected from the whole series of bellows c the whole series of key-lingers being thus placed under thecontrol of the performer. Adjacent to the head 0' is located the termiml of a tube 0 through which atmospheric pressure may be admitted to the valve 0 by which the pneumatic c is controlled. This terminal might be directly controlled by the finger of. the performer, but in the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the draw ings, it is indirectly controlled by the finger of the operator through a valve 0 which is normally held by a spring a in position to close the terminal of the tube 0. To the valve connected a flexible strap 0 connected to a fixed point on the tube a, so that by pr ssure of the performers finger on the strap 0 the valved may be opened.

In order that the hand of the performer new. 0

prnducing devices. i-Jve'li more pzu'ticuiariy in Figs. Ki 9. Each key-finger (Z may in: 'Qd. by any suitable means, niechnnicni, pneumz is or otherwise. in tha 1 of the izn'eniion now under each finger 15 shown as actu- 21 Mid (5 from n beilows (Z key-f. 1 is .=1c'wute i it is arm a at its with a lever s. Th mttcr 3 connected by a iini l which carries an indicate ,1 to the mickey beard. i112 fine inciicator preferwiy pin-115% p 0 1.1; mounted on a iiei fulcrum. Any 1 Splhlg suspension for the im enipioyed, but to enable such suspension to be 1'31; v 1 each fulcrum.biockfdi Mom in nwcinnivai sprin g' :7 bunting upon r If an! ouch being g" spring; and

while the stin 13 Mint he 101w iii-in of the $305; P mswm" limits with the POM; a all the ton-2i mwrament of i 0 free ends of 1 I v the mites which are mnbracec d". The "rev end of ash a0 11 {301i 1 ably stay mad. 0:- lwiit in J; i 1U 9 sprin n? a to the up; 1 a; mg with u the sgiai'ii to limit inure u 'mis omithe and is; so arranged s as to form a extcn 'm (Z of or the upward movei'z'iviit Oi the springs. Each UGHOWS with a, limited number 01 the each bellows ca wing 11 CO1- numbui' of hinged spi'ing 0 which mm: tiw bellows is own in Fig. 7, simici 010m JP, but when the miiuws is 1mm in Fig; 31 the and of the the s piin in position to the i: i119" belie) (i of he in" the viehiing; 1i

ted, as by ihe 0!: a, he :inii is iei 1 (INC full tone which the corresponding power pneumatic is capable of eliecting being produced whenever the corresponding spring at is held from yielding, while the strength of the tone is moderated in proportion to the extent to which the spring is permitted to yield. Obviously, if. all of the springs (Z are permitted to yield except those which are selected by the performer through the movement of the handle 0 and the collapsing of the corresponding bell s, the harmony will be subdued while the melody will be caused to predominate. The relative extent to I which the harmony is subdued is under the control of the performer through the movement of the crescendo-bar 7)". while the melody tones will respond always to the action of the bellows by which the vacuum is maintained, the expression be ng" therefore under the control of the performer through the pedals by which such bellows are operated.

It has already been stated that the invention is applicable, in part at least, to musical instruments of various kinds, whether.

mechanical or automatic or othewise, and that in mechanical or automatic musical instruments it is applicable no less to instru ments which embody the mechanical. or automatic playing deyice; commonly known as player-pianos, than to mechanical or automatic musical instruments in which themechanical or automatic. playing devices are located; outside of the case of the instrumentand operate through the ordinary keys of the instruments,as in any cabinet player. An embodiment of the invention in a cabinet player-piano has already been described. in detail and an embodiment of the invention in a player-piano will now be described. do much of a player-piano as is necessary to enable .the application of the invention to be understood is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 oi? the drawings. shown particularly in Fiat. 11 each. piano-key. a portion of one of which is shown at P. rots through a litter 7 upon a lever g which corresponds to the keylingrer (Z of the cabinet player alreadydescribed. T he automatic or mechanical play- 7 ing devices are sulliciently represented by the Ifsual stem 6 which is acted upon by the usual pneumatic bellows. not shown, and in turn acts, through the lifting head 7, upon the key linger g which is shown as pivotally connected with the upper end of the head 7. The free end of the key-finger g is shown as connected by a link it with the lever it, which through the jack [1. and its appurtenances acts upon the hammer 71?. The keyfinger I is movahly or yieldingly iulcrun'xed. as at y, and the fulcrum is u-esl'orably held or suspended yieldingly by a spring the tension of which may be adjusted by awirc yoke shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which is sccuredin the frame of the mechanism and engages the spring at any desired point he tween the coils thereof. A guide pin g is provided for the fulcrum end of the keylever g to prevent lateral displacement thereof as the fulcrum moves or yields. For every three or four key-lingers there is provided a bellows 2' which corresponds to the bellows of the cabinet player already described. It may be stated here that the number of key-lingers to each bellows or action varying or controlling device may be varied as the judgment of the manufacturer suggests, but since a tone oi the melody rarely has a tone of the harmony or accompaniment within three or four hail tones, it is found in practice that each action modifying device may be safely made to modify or vary the action of three or tour tone producing devices, such as are represented by the hey-lingers (Z or g which form parts thereon,

oi" the series of bellows 2 is suitably connected with the controlling mechanism, through a t abe c, and the controlling mechanism maybe constructed and arranged as already described with reference to the illustrated embodiment of the invention in a cabinet player. Each bellows 2' also carries a block or stop a? which, standing normally out of the path of movement of the fulcrum of the key-linger 9 so that normally such movement is not prevented or impeded, is moved by the collapsing of the bellows 2' into the path of movement of the several tulcra controlled by it and therefore limits or prevents the movement of such fulcra. The operation of the corresponding device in the cabinet player having already been described, it will be understood that when the block or stop 2" is in its normal position the fulcrum of the howlingers, which may beoperatcd either by the automatic playing devices or otherwise, will yield so that the force of the blow with which the key-linger is actuated will be partly absorbed in the yielding of the fulcrum and the force transinitted at the free end of the kev-fingcr will be correspondingly reduced. There is also provided in the embodiment of the invention now beingdescribed a crescendo-bar la, which may be moved more or less toward or from the fulcrum ends of the key-fingers 7 so as to limit in different degree the movement or yielding of the fulcrum, as also fully described with respect to the cabinet player. This crescendo-bar lc'is shown in the present embodiment as connected to a rock-shaft is, which may be provided With an operating arm is for communication through a link 7: to a pneumatic or other actuating means. It will. be unnecessary to describe again, with respect to thiscmbodif .ment or the invention, the manner in which the selection of the tones to be varied or modified is placed under the control of the performer or, it might be, of automatically means, since the bellows ohu is may he actuated ices t e some ..'tli respect to the eahiiet epciideiit upon. 1 .i' which the 1 actuate The embodiments of 'vontion already described are such de are of the ordinary pneumatic Vs.-

ich the source of power is the v c- 'ntsined by usual means. The iiimn. ibfi is also applicable to musical instrue o creted through some other source and an illustration of the embodi- 1c invention in an electrically actuo is illustrated in Figs. 13, 14 and cdiment will now be described. ollei, through which the selectones to be modified is made by oimei? 0]. otherwise, is substantially controller already described dicated. in Figs. l an supported; at its o it v 11. and. hinged or pivoted mr', so as to swing l""' l1 it reap .om l

, with. one #lli'l'l of the lever in the other arm of which is connected by link on through a. yoke of with one arm of the bell-cu, evei" m The other arm of the is connected with it crescendohei" m. suitably supported by links 1 held liiillil'lilllf/ in. its highest position by the s W111" the oozu-d new: forward edge are contacts n which form the terminals of the which :iie severally connected to seal electromagnetic devices such as sol oi ls, one of which is shown. at n in While a series of such solenoids is Each he solenoids ctized or dcniagnetized. condi'fies the action of small the board s V43 in a. plnitse '5 l lllfil sting connector or controller .ich any one of the cisl sov be connected Wlbllilll source of electrical energy, such connector,- 01? conei? compe cXtensihle handle I chi ly moon ed in voice ii? on the up a vertical rock-she'll; n which may mooted already d scribed hows.

in Fig. 14, is an L-shuped contact n which is connected through the conductor with may make contact with only one of the terhinals it "when the head 7;." pushed in, as 5 shown in Fig. 14. The long :ii-in oi? the contact it makes Contact with two Oi more of the terminals it when the head it" is pulled out. lihei'c'l'orc either one or more than one of? the solenoids may be energized according to the position of the head 'nx" and through the swinging of the controller to the one side, and. the solenoid O1 solenoids which is or are to he energized may he scleeted from the Whole series of solenoids at the will 01 the performer or otherwise.

A switch to is mounted on the leve'r'n as shown in vFigs. l3 and l in a convenient position for control by the pol miner and isconnccted to the source of c. ei'gjy, and solenoid M25, {113 shown in and iii, the core F which comic 1 n with a; yosc m through sccndodmr is operated as til scribed so that the crescendo-hm 1 tuetcd either by hand througl t meat of the terminzildioenl on pivot ofthrongh the sol n In the embodiment o the ,i i being described hey-fingers 0., corresponding to the key-fingers d and o of the construe tions snown in Figs. in: 11,,ore sl'iowii as actitzetcd through a rod o, from electromagnetic device o The fulcrum oi finger is i'novohl'e, and, as previously de scribed each pr 1111 met on El. yielding seeing-suspended fulcix-ici, a611, fulcrnmhloei: or flange 0 in which the heyfinger is pivoted being secured to e sop",

4 A bkfii; v is so arranged on sting W: t

The mode of operation of the invention when embodied in such a structure as that last described will be readily understood in view of the detailed description of the embodiment of, the invention in a cabinet player and need not be further explained herein.

Various other modifications or embodiments of the invention will suggest them- ].0 selves and changes in details of construction and arrangement may be made to suit dii? ferent instruments to which the invention is applied. It will be obvious, therefore, that the invention is not restricted to the particular construction shown and described herein.

I claim as my invention.

1. In a musical instrument, the combination of a series of actuating devices, a series of tone-producing devices, mechanical. transmitting devices whereby the tone-producing devices are actuated severally by the actuating devices, mechanical means acting directly upon said mechanical transmitting devices to vary theaction of all. of the toneproducing devices collectively, and. a series of mechanical means, independent of the last named means and acting directly and sever- "ally upon said mechanical transmitting devices simultaneously with said last named means, for vz "ying each the action of one or more of said tone-producing devices at Will.

2.111 a musical instrument, thecombination of aseries of actuating devices, a series of tone-producing devices, mechanical transmitting devices whereby the tone-producing devices are actuated severally by the actuat-* ing devices, mechanical means acting directly upon said mechanical transmitting devices to vary the action of all of the toneproducing devices collectively, a series of mechanical means, independent of the last named means and acting" directly and severally upon said mechanical transmitting devices simultaneously With said last named means, for varying each the action of one or more of said tone-producing devices at will, and selective means for determining the cpention of any of said series of mechanical. devices.

In a musical instrument, the combination of a series of actuating devices, a series of toneproducing devices, mechanical trans mitting devices whereby the toneproducing devices a re actuated severally by the actuating devices, mechanical. means acting directly upon said mechanical. transmitting devices to vary the action oi all of the toneproducing devicescollectively, a series of mechanical means, independent of the last named means and acting directly and severally upon said mechanical transmitting de" vices simultaneously with said last named means, for varying each the action of one or more of said tone-producing devices at will,

actuating means for said series mechanical. means, and selective means for placing any of said series oi actuating devices in opera-- tive relation with said actuating means.

4. In a musical instrument, the combination of a series of actuating devices, series of tone-producing devices, mechanical. transmitting devices whereby tone-producing devices are actuated severally by the actuating devices, mechanical. means acting upon said mechanical transmitting devices to vary the action of all of the tone-prcducing devices collectively, a series of mechanical means, independent of the last named means and acting severally upon said mechanical transmitting devices simultaneously with said last named means, for varying each the action of one ormore of said tone-producing devices at Will, a source of power, and a corn troller and selective connections through which any of said series of mechanical means can be placed, in operative relation With source of power. I

5. in a musical instrument, the combination 01 a series of player pneumatics, a series of tone-producing devices, mechanical transmitting devices whereby the tone-producing devices are actuated severally by the actuating devices, mechanical means acting upon said mechanical transmitting devices for varying the action of all of the tone-producing devices collectively, a series of independent mechanical devices acting severally upon said mechanical transmitting devices for varying each dzc action of one or more of? the tone-producing devices, a corresponding of tone producing devices, mechanical transmitting devices whereby the tone-producing a common source of power connected to the terminal on the controller.

7. In a musical. instrument, the combination of a series of actuating devices, a series of key-fingers, mechanical connections Where by the key-fingcrs are actua l severally by the actuating deviceaater. s of yielding supports for said key tingers, a series of de- 1110mm lent ixemot for s11 an an var" 2110 arm cnnnectio termn' 11d Cannes mil: pt

imit th :actions Sim varying each the action of one or more of the tone-producing devices, a corresponding series of terminals to which said devices are operatively connected severally, a shiftable controller, a shiftable term'i for cooperation With any of said series hi terminals, a source of power connected to the shittable terminal, a crescendo-bar to cooperate with all of the mechanical connections between the actuating devices and the tone-producing devices, means to actuate the crescendo-bar fromthe source of power, and means under the control or the performer for controlling the connection of said actuating means with the source of power.

17'. In a musical instrument, the combination of tone producing devices, a series of actuating devices and mechanical transmission devices, a series 01" bellows acting upon said mechanical transmission devices for varying each the action of one or more of the tone-producing devices, a corresponding series 01" terminal ports with which said bellows are operatively connected severally, a shiftable controller a shiftable terminal adapted to establish connection between the vacuum system and. any of said bellows through said of terminals, a crescendo-bar to cooperate with all of the mechanical connections between the actuating devices and the tone-producing devices, a hello' s and connection to actuate the crescendobar, and a terminal under control oi the performer and connections to determine the operation of the last named bellows.

18. In musical instrument, the combina 'tion of a series of actuatin devices, a series of tone producing devices, mechanical transmission devices, a series of mechanical devices acting upon said. mechanical transmission devices for varying each the action of one or more of the toils-producing, devices,

a selective controll r and. connections for determining the operation of one'o'r another sion devices for varying each. the action of one or more of the tone-protuicing devices, a corresponding series of terminals opera tively connected with said series of devices severally, a source of power, a shittable con intense therewith.

20. in a musical instrument a tone-pr0- ducing mechanism including a lever with a movable fulcrum adaptedto yield bodily during the playing movement and means for limiting the movement of the fulcrum.

- 21. In a musical instrument, the combination of a tone-producing mechanism including a lever having a yielding fulcr um adapt? ed to yield bodily during the playing move ment and means for limiting the yielding of the fulcrum. I

22. In a musical instrument the combina tion of a tone-producing mechanism, including a lever and a spring-suspended fulcrum block therefor adapted to yield bodily during the playing movement, and means for limiting the yielding of the fulcrum block.

23. In a musical instrument the combinm tion of a series of la in devices havin Zfi 23 each a lever With a movable fulcrum adapted to yield bodily during the playing movement and means for limiting the movement of the fulcrum.

24-. In a musical instrument, the combination of a series of playing devices having each a lever with a yielding spring suspended fulcrum, and means for limiting the movement of the fi'llcrinn.

25. In a musical instrument, the combination of a Series of playing devices having each a lever with a yielding fulcrum and means for limiting in different degrees the yielding of the tulcra of all the levers.

26. In a musical instrument, the combination of a series of playing devices having each a lever with a yielding fulcrum and means for limiting the yielding of any of the iulcra.

27. in a musical instrument, the combinatioh of a series of playing devices having each a lever with a yielding fulcrum, means ior.- limiting in different degrees the yielding of the iulcra of all the lovers and independent means for limiting the yielding 01 any of the i'ulcra.

This specification signed and witnessed th is fith day of July, A. l)., 1909.

HENRY S. l GRNBECK. Signed in the presence oi"- AMenosn L. USrncn, ELLA J. Kin-Jenn. 

